Please note that I am not acquiring additional inventory at this time. I do not provide appraisals or identification services, nor do I answer specific questions about your jewelry. I invite you to learn about vintage costume jewelry by visiting these pages.

Vintage Brooches & Pins

This selection of vintage brooches and pins from the 1920s-1950s includes pieces from fine makers such as Miriam Haskell, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Marcel Boucher. Once considered a dated, old-fashioned accessory, the brooch has recently resurfaced as a modern, essential adornment for any outfit. Today’s women are finding out just how versatile this type of jewel is. Wear one alone or wear a cluster. Pin a brooch to your shoulder, your jacket lapel, the throat of your blouse, or the waistline of your dress or trousers. Wear one on a belt, a purse, or a necklace. The choices are endless. Pieces from this collection will add drama and color to a casual outfit, or transform more formal attire into a show-stopper. See also Costume Jewelry Sets/Parures.

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This gold-plated flower brooch is the only Otis piece I and my friend and co-author Robin Deutsch have ever seen with this finish. Though petite, this graceful sterling silver brooch with diamanté is charming. The finish has a few dark spots, but overall it looks much better with the naked eye than my camera indicates. You can read our Otis article here.

This vintage bar brooch has a 3 ½”-long, single channel of diamanté in a rhodium-plated setting. From the side, the shape is a trapezoid. This design incorporates the flat-top construction of the patented link. This brooch closes with a trombone clasp. A great piece for a jacket lapel! Scroll down to see bracelets by this maker to wear with this brooch.

This stunning early-1950s diamanté floral brooch by Miriam Haskell is identical to the "central motif" of a necklace shown in the Gordon & Pamfiloff book on this maker. There the centerpiece is described as "silver metal leaves edged with rose montées and two large clear rhinestones surrounded by smaller rhinestones". While the necklace is much more elaborate, this Frank Hess-designed piece is perfect for today, any time of day! And it would look gorgeous on a wedding gown. I bought this brooch for myself, but I am now reluctantly offering it to a new home.

This 1930s brooch by the German maker Schreiber & Hiller reminds me of a bolt of lightning, a popular theme in Machine Age jewelry of that decade. This piece is formed by seven flat-top links that are bent to form a sort of zig-zag shape. Long (3 ¼”) and lean, this unusual brooch closes with a trombone clasp. An elegant and unusual adornment for a jacket lapel. Scroll down to see coordinating bracelets.

This substantial gold-plated sterling silver flower brooch adorned with aquamarine and ruby glass stones and a diamanté center is a fine example of the Retro Modern style. The petals of the flower have decorative cut-outs and are tilted and slightly curled, giving them lots of life. This lovely piece was designed by the remarkable Adolph Katz. This three-dimensional brooch is the larger version of two brooch/pendants and a bracelet in this design – scroll down to see them.

This substantial vintage flower brooch made from gold-plated sterling silver is adorned with aquamarine and ruby glass stones and a diamanté center – a fine example of the Retro Modern style. The petals of the flower are decorated with cut-outs and are tilted and slightly curled, giving them lots of life. Designed by the remarkable Adolph Katz, this piece can be worn as a brooch or pendant. One photo shows the pendant on a black cord, but you may prefer a gold chain. A 17-inch, 2mm black rubber cord with a stainless steel twist lock (just like the one in the photo) is included with this purchase. Scroll down to see the matching bracelet, a larger version of this brooch, and another brooch/pendant in the same design with a color variation.

This vintage emerald brooch, designed by McClelland Barclay, has two layers. On the bottom is a curved, rhodium-plated base with a pin and roll-over safety clasp. The top layer has faceted, emerald-cut emerald-glass stones, emerald baguettes, and diamanté accents, all set in a spiraling rhodium-plated frame. As with all of this designer’s creations, this 1940s piece is well-constructed with a hefty weight. I’ve shown this jewel positioned in different ways, so you can choose which you prefer. Note that the Barclay’s name rather than the maker’s is marked on the brooch.

A triple-loop bow of gold-plated sterling silver adorned with a row of diamanté at each end of ribbon forms the foundation of this 1940s brooch. A flower cupped in the same metal sits on top. It has a diamanté center and petals of baguettes alternating with teardrop-shaped emerald glass stones. This Retro Modern piece was designed by Adolph Katz for CoroCraft, Coro's high-end line of costume jewelry. The pin closes with a roll-over safety clasp.

Rays of emerald-glass baguettes emanating from a pavé center are joined by a circle of diamanté in this 1950s sunburst brooch by Hattie Carnegie. The setting is rhodium-plated with a roll-over safety clasp. The design is classic, and the color combination is lush! In fact, Hattie made a pair of ear clips with the same motif a few years later – scroll down to see them.

This 1950s emerald and pavé bow brooch set in gold-plated metal is an outstanding example of Boucher's work. The pavé curls, open-work sides, and square-cut, faceted emerald-glass stones that form the knot showcase his attention to detail. This brooch closes with a roll-over safety clasp. Scroll down to see the same design with sapphires.

This 1920s brooch has a large, faceted, cushion-cut emerald-glass stone in the center, with a pair of faceted, triangular emerald and crystal stones at each end. The settings are sterling silver mounted atop a filigree base. This classy and classic Art Deco piece is by Ostby & Barton, a company well-regarded today for their work in precious metals and precious/semi-precious stones. The high-level of their craftsmanship shows in this piece, which closes with a roll-over clasp. Scroll down to see a selection of Art Deco jewels to wear with this beautiful bar brooch.

Pavé-trimmed, gold-plated ribbon loops form the foundation of this late-1940s bow brooch by Mazer Bros. On top sits a flower with petals of emerald-glass baguettes and a round diamanté center. A silver-tone metal cup holds the flower, which is attached to the base with a screw. The pin closes with a roll-over safety clasp. This company’s use of high-quality materials and techniques is evident in this piece. With its gold-tone metal and green stones, this brooch is perfect for a woman who looks best in warm colors. Scroll down to see a version with more jewels that's right for someone who wears cool colors.

These Coro screw back earrings and brooch in a matching flower motif are lovely. The tall (3 3/4″) brooch has two large flowers with curved petals surrounding round emerald-glass stones, each encircled with a row of diamanté. Two smaller, simpler flowers without petals complete the bouquet. The settings, stems, and ribbon that tie them together are rose-gold-washed sterling silver. The screw-back earrings are the same size and design as the large flowers. This Retro Modern set was made for Coro’s high-end line. Warm-toned, somewhat playful jewels!

This mid-1930s Art Deco pin is a variation on the era’s bar brooch. It features two faceted, square-cut emerald-glass stones at each end. The centerpiece is a diamanté-encrusted circle in a starburst pattern with emerald stones emanating from the pavé center. On each side is a smaller diamanté-encrusted cut-out circle. The setting is rhodium-plated sterling silver with a roll-over safety clasp. A well-executed, intricate design. Wear this lovely piece with your own diamond stud earrings (faux or real) and an emerald and diamanté filigree bracelet – scroll down to see it.

Here is another beautiful Retro Modern brooch designed by Adolf Katz for Coro's high-end line. This one features a gold-washed-sterling silver furled ribbon with one edge trimmed in diamanté and emerald-glass baguettes at the center of the curl. A cut in the ribbon holds four baguette-lined stems with faceted, oval, foil-backed emerald-glass flowers with diamanté accents. This piece has a complex construction, as illustrated by the rivets that bind the elements. The pin fastens with a roll-over safety clasp. This brooch was included in an ad in the August 1, 1944 issue of Vogue that featured Coro-Craft "Masterpieces of Fashion Jewelry".The first image shows the brooch as it is positioned in the technical drawing for the design patent; the second shows it as positioned in the ad. You decide how to wear it!

This Miriam Haskell pin is a real knockout! It features a large, pale-grey faux pearl in the center, surrounded by a ring of faceted, round sapphire-glass stones set in silver-tone metal. Ten rays emanate from there, each with a sapphire-glass bead; a ribbed, egg-shaped emerald-glass stone; and tiny faux pearl accents. The construction is superb: a scallop-edged, round filigree plaque supports the center and holds the pin with a roll-over safety clasp. Each ray is supported by its own round filigree plaque topped with a triangular frame. Because of the complexity of the brooch’s design, I suggest wearing simple pearl earrings and/or a pearl bracelet. After all, the brooch should be the star of the show!

Layers of emerald, sapphire and golden topaz glass stones are combined with black metal flower petals in this 1950s brooch and earrings set by Hattie Carnegie. Some of the stones appear teal in color, depending on the light. This set is a fine example of her imaginative color combinations, favored floral motifs, and complexity of design. What a knock-out! The settings are japanned metal, and the brooch has a roll-over safety clasp. When worn, the ear clips face each other and beautifully frame your face. The last photo shows how fantastic this brooch looks on a dress sash. Although the brooch has a ring designed to allow the piece to be worn as a pendant, my expert jeweler advises that the ring is not sturdy and cannot be replaced without damaging the back of the brooch. I don't see this point as a problem – I'm just mentioning it in the interest of full disclosure.

This 1940s Coro brooch is named Stars in the Sky. At 4 1/2" in length, this bouquet brooch designed by Adolph Katz is a triumph of the Retro Modern style and the largest piece in this collection. Nine rose-gold-plated sterling silver stems are held together with furls of ribbon and topped with faceted-glass flowers in shades of emerald, sapphire, ruby and citrine. Diamanté accents complete the piece. This brooch, priced at $15, was advertised in the September 1, 1943 issue of Vogue.

This 1940s brooch is a rose-gold-plated sterling silver ribbon tied in a three-looped bow. Three stems of calla lilies with navette centers of amethyst, ruby, and peridot glass sit on top. Tiny pink tourmaline, sapphire, and diamanté navettes tie the stems together. The pin closes with a roll-over safety clasp. Although the drawing in the design patent shows this brooch with the flowers facing down, I prefer them facing up, reaching for the sky! The photos show both positions, so you can decide. This gorgeous Retro Modern design by Adolph Katz for Coro's high-end line was also made with all citrine flowers – scroll down to see that version.

This vintage bow brooch by Reinad is colorful and sassy. It features faceted, oval-glass stones in every gemstone color: amethyst, emerald, ruby, sapphire, peridot, citrine, diamanté, and pink tourmaline. Each stone is set in its own silver-tone cup. The cups all sit inside the two rows of silver-tone rope that form each bow. Not for the faint-hearted, this statement piece goes with everything! Reinad had a short production period, and their pieces are hard to find.

These flower bouquet brooches from the 1940s have deep-colored-glass petals with diamanté centers and accents. The stems and settings are sterling silver. The brooch on the left features sapphire, ruby, amethyst, and emerald glass flowers; the one on the right is all emerald. Delicate and well-made by Otis, these brooches can be worn separately (e.g., on either side of a collar) or as a pair with great effect. These pieces were advertised in the 1949 catalog of George T. Brodnax Jewelry Co., a mail-order company located in Memphis, Tennessee.

This gemstone-colored dangling 1950s brooch by Hattie Carnegie features ruby, sapphire, emerald, and amethyst glass beads and rondelles. They dangle from a circular top adorned with the same beads. This imaginative and elegant piece has gold-tone findings and a roll-over safety clasp. The combination of colors add to the beauty and versatility of this brooch.

This 1930s bar brooch features a line of teardrop-shaped ruby, emerald, and sapphire-glass stones topped with and surrounded by diamanté. The molded glass was used by costume jewelry makers to imitate the Indian-carved gemstones – known as fruit salads or tutti frutti – which were so popular in the Art Deco era. Trifari made their first fruit salad pieces in the late-1930s, typically using acorn-shaped stones. This piece has the popular trio of colors but in a different shape with an added gem: the company called cabochons with a diamanté center shoe-buttons. The design of this rhodium-plated setting is similar to pieces from the company's Ming series in the 1930s. The pin closes with a roll-over safety clasp. This brooch goes with just about everything! Scroll down to see an early Trifari fruit salad double-clip brooch (Clip-Mates) in the same colors.

This ribbon bow brooch was made by Coro in the 1940s, for their high-end Coro Craft line. Created from rose-gold-plated sterling silver, this piece is adorned with a small bouquet of navette flowers of emerald, amethyst, and sapphire glass on each loop. This richly-colored Retro Modern classic has a roll-over safety clasp. Wear it at the throat of a blouse, at the bottom of a V-neckline, or on the collar of a jacket.